Bacon Jam Redemption!

As you may or may not recall, I had a life-changing experience a few weeks back when I ate bacon jam for the first time at Back in the Day Bakery.  Like, you know how you'll always remember where you were when you heard about 9/11, or where you were when you had your first kiss?  Well, I'll always remember that day, sitting at a pretty white table, biting into sandwich heaven.

I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but this skillet is made for giants.

And as you may or may not recall, I was thrilled to find a recipe for bacon jam in the December issue of Everyday Food.  So I embarked upon the task of making bacon jam for myself and everyone I knew, but it ended tragically when I made a tactical error, neglected to follow instructions, and abandoned my bacon jam to go to Target.  I was really upset about it.  I was more upset about ruining the bacon jam than a person should be.

But I got back on that horse.  Or pig, if you will.

 I followed directions carefully, measured things exactly, paid attention, and even broke out the dreaded slow-cooker*. 

It was. . .delicious.  You need to make it.  Now.  Or maybe on Saturday or Sunday.  Or maybe you should make it your New Year's resolution to make bacon jam. 

And when we celebrated Savannah Family Christmas (more on that later), Cassie had the genius idea to make little mini bacon jam sandwiches as an appetizer.  (Actually, I can't remember whose idea it was--but she was definitely the one who came up with how to cook them.)  So we got a loaf of ciabatta bread, shredded some white cheddar cheese, and sliced up some sliced tomatoes.  It goes like this: bread, bacon jam, tomato, cheese, bread.  And then we cooked it like a giant grilled cheese, squashing it between to cast iron skillets (one that is made for giants) and used my badass pizza cutter to cut them into mini sandwiches. 

They disappeared within minutes.

Cassie's going to be really happy that I put this picture on the internet.

Slow-Cooker Bacon Jam (December '10 Everyday Food)

Makes 3 cups

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 HR

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

2 medium yellow onions, diced small
3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup brewed coffee

Directions

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet (reserve for another use); add onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, and coffee and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up browned bits from skillet with a wooden spoon, about 2 minutes. Add bacon and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until liquid is syrupy; 3-1/2 to 4 hours. Transfer to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Let cool, then refrigerate in airtight containers, up to 4 weeks

*Not knockin' the slow-cooker.  I know that there are lots of people who love them and do amazing things with theirs.  I think I'm just too impatient for it.

Bacon Jam

Today I had an after-school date with my teacher friend, Lizhen, at Back in the Day Bakery.  The purpose of the date was for me to return her camera (something I was not happy about doing), and for us to chat.  Also, I was starving.

I was starving when I got there at 3:30 because I'd been at work all day, and, knowing that I would likely stuff my face like some sort of tazmanian devil heathen at the bakery, I had thought it best to be moderate early in the day.  Like, two grapefruits and some 100-calorie popcorn moderate.  So by the time I got to the bakery I was basically about to gnaw off my own hand.  But, fortunately, I didn't have to because they were still serving lunch, and I got to try something I'd been hearing about for weeks: BACON JAM.

Sounds gross, huh?

It's not.  Unless by gross you mean the greatest thing you've ever eaten, ever.  The picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice, and I'll admit that the jam isn't much of a beauty meal.  At Back in the Day, the Bacon Jam sandwich is served on ciabatta bread with tomato slices and some kind of delicious cheese.  After taking my first bite, I literally jumped up out of my seat and skipped to the counter so that I could order one to take home to Matt.  It was all I could do not to eat his sandwich, too.

So how convenient is it that this month's issue of Everyday Food has a recipe for bacon jam? (Since Back in the Day's Cheryl's cookbook won't be out for a while) I haven't made it yet, but I'm thinking that might be a fun Sunday task.  How fun would a little jar of this stuff be for a hostess gift?  Or for breakfast? 

Do you have an opinion on bacon jam?

Need or Want?

I think I need these alphabet cookie cutters.

I need them because I need to be able to spell out inspiring, or congratulatory, or just really f'ed up stuff with them. 

"GOOD LUCK ON YOUR WRITING TEST!"

"CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW JOB!"

"YOUR MOM GOES TO COLLEGE"

"SORRY I ATE YOUR BABY"

Also, I kind of want to learn to make fondant, except that I don't want to make fondant because fondant is gross.  But I'm wondering if homemade fondant is still gross? 

OH!  And I forgot to share with all of you that next Thursday I will be attending a baking class taught by Cheryl, the owner of Back in the Day Bakery.  I'm more than a little excited, especially since she's supposed to be teaching us how to make her favorite chocolate cake, and I'm terrible at making chocolate stuff.  Here's a little video of her with Paula Deen's two sons making some cupcakes to make your Friday a little better.